Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) has issued a special appeal for adult gloves, especially those in men’s size large. “Gloves are the most requested item on the food lines at our distribution partners in Newark,” explained Jeff “The Coat Guy” Friedman, founder and director of LPI. “It’s easy to figure out why. Folks are freezing out on the streets, some either without gloves at all or wearing what they have, inadequate as they may be.”
In appealing for donations of gloves, Friedman said, “Some of us in town own multiple pairs. We look at many for years, but don’t wear them on a regular basis. Or, perhaps adult gloves belonging to family members are available and ‘ripe for the pickin.’ On behalf of those who need the warmth the most, LPI is asking you to drop what you can at the offices of the West Essex Tribune, located at 495 South Livingston Avenue, next to ShopRite. Coats, hats, scarves, toiletries, cosmetics, diapers and men’s dress attire, as well, please.”
With the Livingston-based charity now halfway through its eighth season, Friedman has shared end-of-year statistics with Livingston neighbors. LPI operates year ’round, with the current emphasis on winter items.
“Thanks to Livingston’s continued level of giving, as well as with a big assist from science teacher Jen Mortensen and her volunteer club at Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield, LPI reports a banner season, thus far,” said Friedman. “Utilizing volunteer sedans, SUVs and volunteer Neil Greco’s pick-up truck, just this season, we delivered over 1,300 warm coats as of January 1, 2019, totaling some 11,500 since our founding in 2011. We have also delivered thousands of toiletries and cosmetics, hats, gloves, scarves, diapers, family and men’s dress clothing items, new stuffed animals, and so much more.”
LPI volunteers have made 52 distribution partner deliveries this season, so far, through the beginning of 2019, Friedman added. “Deliveries continue this week, as usual.”
Monetary donations can be made by check to Livingston Philanthropies, Inc., P.O. Box 247, Livingston, NJ 07039, or on Paypal at paypal.me/lpiinc.
In conclusion, Friedman said, “As those out on the streets face four more months of coat weather, I’m reflecting on the words of Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian activist who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule. Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Gandhi, who died in 1948, led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. He ...
